If you listen to TED Talks, you may have heard this come up. TED (it stands for Technology, Education, Design) is a nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading. On a recent interview about TED Talks, the question was asked "What makes your heart sing?" It is when you truly figure that out and bring it into your professional life that you truly become successful.

It is not an easy question to answer. On the surface, I could say that I enjoy eco fiber art, making things, being home with my kids, having a business that is eco friendly, etc. But when I get right down to the core of it, what is it that I am truly passionate about. What makes my heart sing?

My brother is visiting right now. In the past, he was in the business of idea generation and product innovation. He is super creative in business development and thinks of things I would never think of. When you work by yourself, it's easy to miss the big picture. I love talking to him about my business and brainstorming. Unfortunately he lives in Scotland, so our conversations can sometimes be far and few between. We were talking about the idea of truly doing what you are passionate about, deep down to the core, and figuring out how to tell that story.

During that conversation, I was thinking about all the projects I have done in the past and about which ones truly brought about fulfillment, enjoyment, and that reached to my core. I answered the question with a story of my own:

Back in 2009, a dear friend asked me to make a bag for her. She wanted me to use a sweater that had belonged to her Grandfather I believe, as well as skirt that she'd worn while on missionary work in Africa. Those two items had traveled the world with her, but were things she no longer wore for one reason or another. After talking with her and hammering out a few details concerning color, style, size, etc. I was able able to make a bag that she could use every day and remember her Grandfather and her travels. What had been taking up space in her closet, had been given new life in the form of a bag. The feeling I got (and still get) from that one project make me emotional every time I talk about it. I got tears in my eyes when I was talking about it with my brother - and I made that bag 5 years ago.

Here is what she had to say about the finished project: Lucy created a custom shoulder bag for me using old wool sweaters and material that I provided for her, items that either held special meaning for me or whose colors I loved. She asked me a few questions about specific accoutrements and knew intuitively which ones would complement the bag and my taste. The result is Uh-MAY-zing. I have received many, many compliments on my bag and exclamations of, "But I want one just like it!" when I explain that it was custom-made. In talking with my brother, I had discovered what truly makes my heart sing. It's not fiber art. It's not the simple act of creating something. I am in the memory business. I am truly passionate about creating new memories and preserving cherished ones. Fiber is simply my medium.

The question is, how can I make this happen? Here are some changes you will see in the next few months.

I will be focussing on my bags and will have 2 basic categories for Rosy Toes Designs: 1 for purely custom bags in which I create a bag from your sweaters (and mine when necessary) and 1 for One of a Kind bags and pouches I've already made. You will be able to buy the bag exactly as pictured. It will make it easier for you to order and will allow me to be truly creative with my fiber art.

I'll be eliminated my scarves, hats, and cuffs from my shop. I like making them, but I'm not truly passionate about them. If you want one in the future, you'll have to make a special request. Effective July 15

If you want a custom felted knit bag or sweater bag with only my materials, that will still be available.

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Author

Lucy Chapman is the fiber artist, owner, and designer at Rosy Toes Designs. Her work has been featured in Urban Farm Magazine, InStyle UK Magazine and British Vogue. It has been on display in NYC, gifted to celebrities at GBK's MTV Movie Gift Lounge in 2014 and press in 2015, seen at the GBK Gift Lounge for the 2012 Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards, visited the Gift Lounge for the 46th Annual CMA Awards, gone on an Arctic Expedition, and has journeyed around the world. Proud member of The Artisan Group, TAFA and Ohio Designer Craftsman.

Rosy Toes Designs is owned and operated by fiber artist and designer Lucy Chapman of Laura OH, USA. No part of this website or any of its contents (including her designs) may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without prior written consent. You may share website content via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or other social media as long as proper back links are used. You may quote extracts from the website with attribution to the website. Commercial use is not allowed without prior consent.